Colo-Colo keeper Vozinha in London: a first for a Chilean-league player at the Ballon d'Or gala

What happened

Vozinha is one of ten candidates for goalkeeper of the season, alongside names such as Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya and Unai Simón. According to Emol, he owes the nomination to his strong World Cup with Cape Verde in North America. For a few months he has been in goal for Colo-Colo in Santiago, the record champions who lead the table: arch-rivals Universidad de Chile needed a win on Monday to close the gap.

Straight after Sunday's draw with Palestino at the Santa Laura stadium, in which La Tercera rated him among the standout players, he flew to London with club president Aníbal Mosa. The gala at the London Palladium marks the 70th anniversary of the award, which France Football has presented since 1956. Vozinha was not considered the favourite.

The mood on the ground

On arrival the goalkeeper was greeted like a global star, La Tercera reports: the waiting crowd cheered him and he signed autographs for children on the red carpet. He appeared calm, saying it was a great honour to be there and that before the World Cup he would never have expected such an invitation. Asked about the winner, he said whoever wins will deserve it.

Colo-Colo turned the evening into an event for its supporters. The club shared photos of Vozinha and Mosa in evening suits, captioned with a line saying they were ready for the red carpet. Pictures followed with legends such as Luís Figo and Fabio Capello, with Lamine Yamal and with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

La Tercera puts the appearance into historical context: whatever the result, Vozinha represents Colo-Colo that evening and with it all of Chilean club football. The paper recalls that Iván Zamorano, Marcelo Salas, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, who finished tenth in 2015, were all in the Ballon d'Or conversation, but all of them played for European clubs at the time.

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